For 7+ schools are looking for children who they feel will be a good fit for a particular class and school ethos. There is nothing you can do to steer this, and choosing the right school for your child is an essential way to make the interview process plain sailing. In general, you can ensure that your son or daughter sits comfortably within their peer group attainment level - school should be able to guide you on this. Mock interview practice will help to ensure that confidence levels are high.

At 16+, schools will usually interview to assess a student's aptitude for the A-Levels they have selected. They will also be interested in possible university choices and career interests.

With confidence and honesty. Your son or daughter can ask for the question to be rephrased - as well as buying valuable thinking time this may help them understand the question, when it is presented another way. They can try to draw parallels with a similar topic they do know about, or explain why there is a gap in their knowledge.

This is a great question and provides your chance to show what you know about the school and how it fits with your goals and abilities. Start your preparation by looking at the school website, speaking to friends who are at the school, and researching it online. You will hopefully have visited. If you have an education advisor they may have provided you with an, 'inside scoop'. You should know the school's ethos and see that it aligns with your own. Your job is then to map your skills and interests with those of the school. Our advice is always to lead with a focus on academics. You may be choosing a school primarily for it's sporting reputation, but all leading schools are looking for academics first and foremost. It is fine to say you have siblings and friends at the school - that is a good reason for considering it. The school wants to know that you are serious about applying and that, if successful, you will stay the course, succeed academically and really enjoy all the school has to offer.

Many families are not applying at a standard entry point, and are instead looking for an occasional place. A move at 7+ or 11+/13+ is usually for a 'good' reason; to a school with a more academic focus, or a boarding school. Often a school move (particularly at Sixth Form) can be for a less positive reason; trouble in Year 10 or 11, poor results at GCSE, or illness or anxiety, often triggered by the pressures of GCSE exams. Always tell the truth, and always put a positive spin on the reasons for your move. School Head Teachers talk to each other and it is impossible to hide anything. For the same reason, don't sound too negative about your old school - even if you hated it. Schools don't want to bring on someone they feel will be a problem.

Be prepared to discuss in detail the reasons for choosing your A Level or IB choices and explain how these link back to specific modules in your CGSE or IB MYP.

You will be expected to be applying to a number of other schools. This question provides a great opportunity for you to show that you have done thorough research and understand the USP's of a range of schools. You will hopefully have visited them as well. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to explain why the school you are currently interviewing with is your best-fit and first choice. (Please don't tell them it isn't..)

o Who is going to be the next Head Teacher?
o What kind of student do you take here?
o Is there anything I haven’t told you that you want me to?

We would recommend that you read three weekend newspapers for three weeks before the interview: The Observer, Sunday Telegraph and Financial Times. If you read these cover to cover and make notes on the parts that really interest you, then you will be able to steer any conversation or question to something topical that you are well informed about.

Our advice is that although admissions teams follow a fairly set procedure, they will always thrown in a question to challenge you. Here are some that you could be prepared for:

○ Tell us about a time you worked in a team to solve a problem
○ Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership or initiative
○ Describe a time when you faced a significant challenge in your studies or work. How did you overcome it?
○ Give an example of a time when you had to quickly learn something new to complete a task. How did you go about learning, and what was the result?
○ Tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously. How did you prioritise and ensure everything was completed on time?
○ Describe a situation where you made a mistake at work or in a project. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?
○ Can you describe a time when you had to make a difficult ethical decision? How did you ensure you acted with integrity?